Julian Quintero-Perez showed up to the League of Women Voters’ Breakfast With the Legislators with a list of questions— and for the first time, a state lawmaker to answer them. The Hamden High sophomore, and runner extraordinaire, wanted to know why his school’s track is in poor condition and why some sports receive more funding than others.

Quintero-Perez was one of the thirteen Hamden High students who attended the annual breakfast at the Whitney Center, where community members met with state legislators to discuss priorities ahead of Connecticut’s legislative session in two weeks. The event began at 9, starting with a panel, then a more informal portion where attendees could mingle with the legislators. The legislators in attendance were Rep. Laurie Sweet, Rep. Mary Welander, Rep. Steven Winter, Rep. David Yaccarino, Rep. Josh Elliott, and Sen. Jorge Cabrera.

The first question to the panel was about each legislator’s goals for the session. Rep. Josh Elliott had mainly economic goals. He said, “We have a regressive tax system that relies on the property tax, and we have a wealth tax aimed directly at the middle class. If we fix the tax system, then everything else will fit into place.” Welander wanted to address child welfare, childcare affordability, as well as issues with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and education.

Healthcare access was another major focus. Cabrera, who chairs the Insurance Committee, said he is prioritizing healthcare reform and making coverage more affordable and accessible. He also wanted to reduce the role of artificial intelligence in the insurance industry. Yaccarino highlighted tort reform as one potential way to reduce healthcare costs, to prevent “everyone suing everyone.” Elliott also pointed to efforts such as allowing the importation of prescription drugs from Canada to make healthcare more accessible.

Housing was a central topic during the discussion, with several legislators emphasizing the need for more affordable housing and protections for unhoused residents. Rep. Laurie Sweet said her priorities include preventing the criminalization of homelessness and stopping homeless encampment sweeps, as well as a Gloria Johnson Bill, which aims to prevent fines or jail time for sleeping outside when shelters are unavailable. She also emphasized the importance of interim housing solutions, like extended warming centers or tiny homes. Elliott advocated for 8-30g reform, which is a statute that allows developers to override zoning rules. Currently, if there is less than 10% of affordable housing in the space that the developers want to use, they can override their denial. Winter also discussed zoning changes and transit-oriented development as ways to encourage towns to build more affordable housing.

After the formal panel dissolved, Welander and Elliott came over to the table where the students from HHS were sitting. Welander brought up a statewide Cellphone ban, attendance policies, and the “bathroom situation” at HHS, which continues to be frequently closed. Elliott talked about campaign financing and Political Action Committees (PACs).

“My ideals were reflected. They knew what I wanted without my having to tell them,” sophomore Terri White said of the panel. He had no questions prepared, and he had never met a legislator before. “AP Gov has sparked my interest in local politics, and I want to become more involved in my community and get my family involved.” He said he would come here again. The discussion in the panel about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stuck out to White the most. Sophomore Hollis Mead attended the event to meet legislators, having not met any before. “I should be more knowledgeable about my community.” 

Diane Hoffman, a longtime League member, said the breakfast gives students and community members a chance to hear directly from lawmakers and understand how state government works. She added that while national politics can feel overwhelming, people often have more influence at the local level. Alice Baxter, who helped organize the breakfast, said planning begins months in advance and includes reserving the venue, coordinating legislators’ schedules, and arranging food and publicity. She said she was pleased with this year’s turnout, which was similar to last year’s, of about 100 people.

Cabrera said, “Find your voice and an issue you really care about. I hope [young people] take away that they have a stake in the future and they can do something. It doesn’t necessarily have to be to run for elected office, but it could be to go to a rally, write op-eds, write letters to our legislators, go online and use social media, join a picket line, or start a podcast.” Sweet said, “You are going to be our future town council leaders and mayor—if not, you’re going to be voting for them.” 

Cabrera ended by saying that teens who want to participate civically should just “do it.”